Midwest fun, snow or no snow

Snow is a key player in mid-winter festivals across the Midwest. Ice plays a major role too.

But not every festival is weather-dependent.

At least one group of festival organizers -- in Lake Geneva, Wis. -- makes its own snow, just to be on the safe side.

Many offer a host of other activities, from beer tastings to hot-air balloon rides to historical re-enactments to fireworks.

Later in the season, as warmer temperatures cause tree sap to run, a whole slew of maple syrup festivals spring up.

Here's a look at some of the most intriguing ways to while away the winter in the Midwest:

ILLINOIS

Maple Syrup Time, Springfield: As winter eases its grip and daytime temperatures begin to rise, the sap begins to flow. Visitors to this 100-acre garden and woodland can witness how sap is extracted from trees and processed into maple syrup.

"We go through the maple syrup-making process," said Jim Matheis, garden director. "We go outside, find a maple tree and tap it, collect the sap and show people how we make it into syrup."

Matheis said demonstrations will be offered at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. each day.

Parke County Maple Syrup Fair: Taste pancakes drenched in locally produced syrup and stock up on maple syrup offered for sale at the Parke County Fairgrounds.

Or grab a map and go exploring.

"There are five maple syrup camps in Parke County that participate in this," said Cathy Harkrider of Parke County Inc.

Harkrider said visitors can witness the syrup-making process in a variety of settings.

"We have primitive camps to modern camps," she said.

Visitors can also take in the county's 31 picturesque covered bridges and a traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit, "Covered Bridges: Spanning the American Landscape," that will be on display at the Rockville railroad depot.

19th Annual Mackinaw Mush, Mackinaw City: As long as the sky yields enough snow, this series of "sprint" races will take mushers and their teams of four, six or eight dogs over a looped course through the woods.

Races are designed for professional mushers and for those who enjoy sport racing.

There's also a 100-yard-dash "Kiddie Mush" for the tiniest fledgling dog-sled enthusiasts.

"As long as they can stand on the sled [they can race]," said volunteer coordinator Dawn Sova.

"They use the older dogs; they don't use the fast speed dogs."

Sova said mushers and their teams of Siberian huskies and mixed-breed Alaskan huskies come from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio and Ontario for the race.

The Mackinaw Mush was canceled last year because of a lack of snow.

"You do have to have somewhat of a substantial snowfall to race, to pack down the trail," Sova said.

Sova said organizers will decide by Jan. 30 whether this year's race will proceed.